• Sensorineural hearing loss

This type of hearing loss is caused by a disorder in the cochlea (main organ of hearing) or in the auditory nerve. A very common cause of sensorineural hearing loss is damage to the hair cells in the cochlea. This type of hearing loss is usually permanent.

Possible causes of sensorineural hearing loss

  • Degeneration at the level of the cochlea due to increasing age
  • Exposure to excessive noise
  • Genetics
  • Medication/drugs that are toxic to the ear
  • A viral infection of the cochlea
  • Congenital infections (e.g.: your mother had rubella while pregnant)
  • A tumour on the auditory nerve

It is usually not possible to treat sensorineural hearing loss medically or surgically.  Hearing aids are typically recommended in order to manage a sensorineural hearing loss.